George Diaz: Bittersweet goodbyes for Manning, Howard inevitable

Indianapolis and Orlando are two cities caught in the cross-hairs of loyalty, the most misunderstood word in professional sports.

Peyton Manning is a superstar who wants to stay. Dwight Howard is a star who wants to leave.

You don't have to call the psychic hotline to get a glimpse into the future. Manning is likely to have played his last game for the Indianapolis Colts after a fabulous 13-year run. Howard isn't likely to finish out his eighth year with the Orlando Magic, as the clock ticks on his imminent departure.

Fans of both teams continue to fight through the denial, trying to recruit more followers on staydwight.com, or in Indy's case, hoping that Andrew Luck steps in a pothole, twists his ankle, and becomes a risky No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The Colts would be stupid to honor Manning's $28 million option — due March 8 — especially for a guy still recovering from three neck surgeries in less than two years. The Magic would gladly throw millions of dollars at Dwight's feet, but the problem is he won't even bother to pick up a dollar off the floor.

Are the Colts being disloyal to Manning? Is Howard dissing the Magic as an ungrateful millionaire?

Everybody can fill in the blanks and answer those questions as they see fit, but it all goes back to the three biggest lies in sports:

Rex Ryan's Jets will win the Super Bowl one day (hey, he keeps promising), Mark McGwire hit all those home runs because of protein shakes, and teams and athletes have a moral obligation to stay true to each other, even in tough times.

I wouldn't be so bothered by Howard wanting to bolt from Orlando if he didn't keep coming up with so many lame excuses, like saying "You know, for me, I've done a lot of things individually, but I want a championship."

If that's the case, why on earth would you consider the New Jersey Nets — 7-14 as of Sunday — as one of the few teams on your wish list? As bad as the Magic implosion has been of late, they're still much better than the Nets.

Nah, it's all about ego and bigger markets.

Instead of becoming annoyingly clingy, the Magic should let go as quickly as possible. Think of the NBA All-Star Game next month as an extravagant dinner party hosted by a glamorous couple everyone knows is getting divorced. Kinda awkward isn't it? And nobody is going to believe they are on their way to a reconciliation, even if Dwight gives Otis Smith a peck on the cheek for a photo opp.

Indy has set up the biggest stage in franchise history, as it hosts a Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history on Feb. 5. But that's a house of cards, too, as Manning and team owner Jim Irsay traded barbs over the press before issuing a joint "make nice" statement few days ago. There will be no kiss-and-make up stories to tell in Indianapolis either.

Those should be celebratory times in both cities. But there is little joy in All-Star games and Super Bowls for loyal fans of these franchises.

They might even shed a tear of two in sadness and shame.

If only everyone else felt the same way. Hopefully Peyton won't get dinged with a horseshoe on the way out the door. As for Dwight, may his wish come true so he can play with the Nets, the 7-14 epicenter of the NBA universe.